Drop a letter, uplift someone’s day
Introducing our newest program! Dear Elder Mailboxes are letter-writing and drop-off stations where anyone can share kind handwritten notes with local senior communities. No stamps or delivery details needed—just write a note and drop it off right there! Anyone can start a Dear Elder Mailbox, including you! Join a movement that’s already brought thousands of letters to seniors and help spread love and connection in your community.
By starting a mailbox, you’ll become a Local Outreach Coordinator for Love For Our Elders—a title you can proudly include on your resume or college applications. You’ll also be eligible for volunteer hours and the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
To kick things off, we’re offering free mailboxes: We’ll send you a pre-built mailbox, and all you need to do is decorate and place in a public area!
Ready to make a local impact? Request a free pre-built mailbox to decorate and become one of the first to join this program!
How it works
A volunteer mailbox keeper sets up and maintains a mailbox
They collect and deliver letters to a local senior community regularly
Love For Our Elders provides support, letter-writing materials, a map listing, and more
Start a mailbox in your community: 3 steps
To start, you’ll set up and maintain a collection box in a community space, inviting others to write uplifting notes for seniors. The box should be easily accessible and clearly labeled with instructions. Then, you’ll check on the box as-needed (once a month is usually fine) and deliver the letters to a local senior community.
-
Select a spot where lots of people will see it in a community space, whether that’s a library, community center, cafe, local business, etc. Make sure you have permission from the property owner!
-
Got carpentry skills? Build your own mailbox from scratch. Otherwise, purchase a collection box and decorate, or start with something simple like a shoebox and design something permanent later! Think through whether you’d like to include any stationery or pens by your mailbox, and whether you’d like a container to hold them or build a holder as part of your mailbox.
-
Once your mailbox is set up, register to become a part of our Dear Elder Mailbox network!
By registering, you’ll get:
✅ A charter number and certificate
✅ A spot on the official Dear Elder Mailbox map
✅ Unlimited free blank handmade cards & envelopes
✅ Access to our directory of senior communities
✅ A custom press release to spread the word
✅ A Mailbox Keeper Toolkit and ongoing support from Love For Our Elders
Maintain a mailbox: Keep the love flowing!
You’ve set up your mailbox, and now it’s time to make sure it stays a hub of kindness and connection! Here’s how you can keep your mailbox inviting, fun, and full of love (with minimal effort)!
-
Check your mailbox as often as needed, depending on its size and activity. Gather the letters, ensure they follow our guidelines, and deliver them to a local senior community— if you don’t have one in mind, use Google or our directory of communities that have expressed interested in our letters. Before dropping them off, contact the community to confirm they’d like to receive them.
Access our senior community directory -
Some mailbox keepers choose to stock their mailbox with letter-writing materials—and we’re here to help! A partner nonprofit is offering blank handmade stationery to make letter-writing easy for mailbox visitors.
Request free, blank handmade cards and envelopes -
Spread the word about your mailbox! Talk to people, post on social media, or host letter-writing events. The more people know about it, the more love it will collect.
-
For additional guidance, check out: Dear Elder Mailbox Keeper Toolkit
Explore our Dear Elder Mailbox map
“The mailbox makes it easy for busy community members to take a moment and support older adults.”